Friends, family remember hit-and-run victim at car wash

Ronnie Chavez, 24, was taken into custody and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of failure to stop for an accident involving death. The charge is a class three felony. By Andrew Michalscheck

By Andrew Michalscheck

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Friends and family gathered in Chandler Saturday to help celebrate the life of 11-year-old Aaron Arnold, who was hit and killed by a truck on Friday.

Several people turned out at a car wash to help support Arnold’s family.

“It still doesn’t feel like he’s gone, but just everybody coming together and supporting us it makes it 10 times better,” said Kendra Williams, Arnold's aunt.

Arnold was attempting to cross Arizona Avenue on his bike when he was hit by a pick-up truck driven by 24-year-old Ronnie Chavez.

Chavez fled the scene and ditched his truck, but returned a while later and spoke with authorities. He’s since been arrested on a felony charge of failure to stop for an accident involving death.

While they can’t bring Arnold back, those who took part in Saturday’s car wash were hoping to provide a little relief for a grieving family.

“It’s astonishing. There are so many people out here and so much support. It lets us know that people care,” added Williams.

Anyone interested in making a donation in Aaron Arnold’s name can do so at any Wells Fargo branch.